CBS Radio and Chicago Cubs reach long-term broadcast rights agreement beginning with 2015 season
Deal also calls for development of exclusive concert events to be held at Wrigley Field, as well as extensive marketing and promotional opportunities for both entities
CBS RADIO and the Chicago Cubs announced today that WBBM Newsradio 780AM has been named as the team's new flagship radio station beginning with the 2015 season. Chicago's all-news station will broadcast regular and postseason games, and select pre-season contests with Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer calling all game day action.
The broadcast rights agreement is part of a multi-year sports and entertainment partnership that also includes several promotional initiatives across all seven of CBS RADIO's local Chicago stations and the Company's digital and social platforms. Additionally, the two parties will work jointly to create and produce live music events to be hosted at Wrigley Field.
"CBS RADIO is a recognized leader in producing and promoting sports, live event and music broadcasts in local markets across the country," said Crane Kenney, President of Business Operations, Chicago Cubs. "We are excited to partner with CBS RADIO to broadcast Cubs baseball and develop unique activities and events that will entertain millions of Cubs fans and visitors who come to Wrigley Field each year."
"CBS RADIO is honored to serve as the broadcast home of the Chicago Cubs," said Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS RADIO. "This storied franchise is among the most well-known clubs in all of sports and we're pleased to establish this relationship with a team that has such a loyal fan base in Chicago and across this country.
"This partnership also capitalizes on the expertise of our local stations to create one-of-a-kind events utilizing the inherent synergies of music and sports. Being able to interact with fans both in and out of the ballpark provides us a unique opportunity to connect with the community and grow our relationships with local businesses and national brands."
Added Rod Zimmerman, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, CBS RADIO Chicago, "This is truly an historic day in Chicago radio. It is a rare opportunity that broadcast rights to such exclusive content like the Chicago Cubs becomes available. We are all beyond excited to move forward with this partnership that will bring Cubs baseball to a new level of engagement with fans throughout Chicago and the nation."
Among additional Cubs programming will be "Cubs Corner," a one-hour weekly show broadcast during the season featuring game highlights and a preview of upcoming matchups, as well as interviews with players, coaches and Cubs management. The show will air at select times throughout the remainder of the year.
CBS RADIO is one of the largest major-market broadcast media operators in the United States and the undisputed leader in news and sports radio. Producing original audio and video content, live events and exclusive programming broadcast via on-air, online and mobile platforms, CBS RADIO reaches more than 72 million consumers nationwide each week. As a part of CBS Corporation, the division owns and operates 126 radio stations in 27 markets - including the top 10 as ranked by Nielsen Audio - and broadcasts play-by-play coverage of more than two dozen professional sports teams including the New York Yankees, New York Giants, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, and Dallas Cowboys, among others.
CBS RADIO distributes its programming via AM, FM and HD Radio stations, Radio.com and CBS Local Digital Media apps, making engaging with audiences easier than ever before. For more information on CBS RADIO, please visit www.cbsradio.com.